Asbury Park Music Foundation: teaching kids to be stars for life

The foundation raises money to support youth music programs throughout Asbury Park
Brian Johnston

Musician Wyclef Jean drops in to Lakehouse Music Academy to talk with members of the Asbury Park Music Foundation. Wyclef spent a few hours with the kids discussing his career, creating music, and offered advice of how to be successful in life.
Asbury Park, NJ
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
@dhoodhood
(Photo: Doug Hood )

The Asbury Park Music Foundation is helping shape a new generation of New Jersey artists — and changing countless lives for the better in the process.

“The students of today are not only learning their skills, they’re growing up together and there’s just going to be a whole other wave of this creative force coming from these kids in just a matter of a few years,” foundation chairman Jim Lenskold said.

The foundation originally launched in 2011 with the goal of making sure Asbury Park’s storied musical heritage “stayed alive” as the city experienced its recent resurgence, Lenskold explained.

“That was a high priority, to make sure the economy wasn’t displacing music but (instead) building on it,” he said.

By 2014, the foundation’s mission shifted. Now, the focus is on music education for Asbury Park area youth, particularly those on the city’s west side.

The foundation’s work, Lenskold said, impacts approximately 300 kids a year thanks to in-school programs at the Hope Academy Charter School on Grand Avenue as well as afterschool programs at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic School on First Avenue, the Hip-Hop Institute at the Boys and Girls Club of Monmouth County on Monroe Avenue and the Lakehouse Music Academy on Lake Avenue.

"One of the main goals of the Asbury Park Music Foundation is to connect with kids in ways that build their confidence, their skill set and their ability to learn and collaborate with their peers," said Tom Donovan, the president of the Asbury Park Press and APP.com and a member of the foundation's board of directors.

"At the Hip-Hop Institute, the kids can learn how to write their own music, record the music and how to market their work. If they aspire to be a DJ, we can make that happen. If they aspire to be a sound board operator, we can prepare them for that job, and so on. We teach skills that can be applied to both their personal and career aspirations."

Giovanni Jerome, 10, of Asbury Park, mixes a tune played by Wyclef in the studio on board the music bus. Musician Wyclef Jean drops in to Lakehouse Music Academy to talk with members of the Asbury Park Music Foundation. Wyclef spent a few hours with the kids discussing his career, creating music, and offered advice of how to be successful in life.
Asbury Park, NJ
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
@dhoodhood
(Photo: Doug Hood )

Likewise, Donovan said, at Lakehouse the foundation "brings kids from all walks of life together and they work individually and as part of their own band to not only learn how to play an instrument but how to communicate, resolve conflict and how to work together to make music and perform.

"The poise and confidence that these young people develop in a very short period of time makes our efforts very satisfying. Music is powerful in so many ways, and we are fortunate to have the Asbury Music Foundation and our partners so committed to both the short- and long-term success of our youth."

The foundation has allowed area youth to work alongside music legends. Newark-raised Grammy winner and New Jersey Hall of Fame member Wyclef Jean, a prolific producer and artist since his breakthrough as part of the Fugees more than 20 years ago, recently worked with foundation students at Lakehouse.

Musician Wyclef Jean drops in to Lakehouse Music Academy to talk with members of the Asbury Park Music Foundation. Wyclef spent a few hours with the kids discussing his career, creating music, and offered advice of how to be successful in life.
Asbury Park, NJ
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
@dhoodhood
(Photo: Doug Hood )

“It’s incredible what’s happening at the Lakehouse,” Jean said during his visit. “I myself am no stranger to the environment of being in the studio, but it took a lot of mentors through the years.

“Like, they always say it takes a whole village to just raise a kid, and so I was fortunate enough to get all of that coming up. So the way that the kids are being mentored, the speed of how they’re learning, for me, it’s definitely an inspiration.”

“Bringing in the top-level talent, I think just is incredibly inspiring,” Lenskold said. “You have kids that are interested in music, that are working towards something, and they not only hear the story of how someone else did it and went through their challenges and stayed committed and was successful, but I think they also get the sense that if someone that’s so successful will come to Asbury Park and talk with them, I think they feel like, ‘Well, we must mean something. We must be important in some way as well.’”

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Giovanni Jerome, 10, of Asbury Park, plays a tune on the piano with Wyclef. Musician Wyclef Jean drops in to Lakehouse Music Academy to talk with members of the Asbury Park Music Foundation. Wyclef spent a few hours with the kids discussing his career, creating music, and offered advice of how to be successful in life.
Asbury Park, NJ
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
@dhoodhood
Doug Hood

Musician Wyclef Jean drops in to Lakehouse Music Academy to talk with members of the Asbury Park Music Foundation. Wyclef spent a few hours with the kids discussing his career, creating music, and offered advice of how to be successful in life.
Asbury Park, NJ
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
@dhoodhood
Doug Hood

Giovanni Jerome, 10, of Asbury Park, mixes a tune played by Wyclef in the studio on board the music bus. Musician Wyclef Jean drops in to Lakehouse Music Academy to talk with members of the Asbury Park Music Foundation. Wyclef spent a few hours with the kids discussing his career, creating music, and offered advice of how to be successful in life.
Asbury Park, NJ
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
@dhoodhood
Doug Hood

Musician Wyclef Jean drops in to Lakehouse Music Academy to talk with members of the Asbury Park Music Foundation. Wyclef spent a few hours with the kids discussing his career, creating music, and offered advice of how to be successful in life.
Asbury Park, NJ
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
@dhoodhood
Doug Hood

Musician Wyclef Jean drops in to Lakehouse Music Academy to talk with members of the Asbury Park Music Foundation. Wyclef spent a few hours with the kids discussing his career, creating music, and offered advice of how to be successful in life.
Asbury Park, NJ
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
@dhoodhood
Doug Hood

Musician Wyclef Jean drops in to Lakehouse Music Academy to talk with members of the Asbury Park Music Foundation. Wyclef spent a few hours with the kids discussing his career, creating music, and offered advice of how to be successful in life.
Asbury Park, NJ
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
@dhoodhood
Doug Hood

Musician Wyclef Jean drops in to Lakehouse Music Academy to talk with members of the Asbury Park Music Foundation. Wyclef spent a few hours with the kids discussing his career, creating music, and offered advice of how to be successful in life.
Asbury Park, NJ
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
@dhoodhood
Doug Hood

Musician Wyclef Jean drops in to Lakehouse Music Academy to talk with members of the Asbury Park Music Foundation. Wyclef spent a few hours with the kids discussing his career, creating music, and offered advice of how to be successful in life.
Asbury Park, NJ
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
@dhoodhood
Doug Hood

Musician Wyclef Jean drops in to Lakehouse Music Academy to talk with members of the Asbury Park Music Foundation. Wyclef spent a few hours with the kids discussing his career, creating music, and offered advice of how to be successful in life.
Asbury Park, NJ
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
@dhoodhood
Doug Hood

Musician Wyclef Jean drops in to Lakehouse Music Academy to talk with members of the Asbury Park Music Foundation. Wyclef spent a few hours with the kids discussing his career, creating music, and offered advice of how to be successful in life.
Asbury Park, NJ
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
@dhoodhood
Doug Hood

Musician Wyclef Jean drops in to Lakehouse Music Academy to talk with members of the Asbury Park Music Foundation. Wyclef spent a few hours with the kids discussing his career, creating music, and offered advice of how to be successful in life.
Asbury Park, NJ
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
@dhoodhood
Doug Hood

Musician Wyclef Jean drops in to Lakehouse Music Academy to talk with members of the Asbury Park Music Foundation. Wyclef spent a few hours with the kids discussing his career, creating music, and offered advice of how to be successful in life.
Asbury Park, NJ
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
@dhoodhood
Doug Hood

Musician Wyclef Jean drops in to Lakehouse Music Academy to talk with members of the Asbury Park Music Foundation. Wyclef spent a few hours with the kids discussing his career, creating music, and offered advice of how to be successful in life.
Asbury Park, NJ
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
@dhoodhood
Doug Hood

Musician Wyclef Jean drops in to Lakehouse Music Academy to talk with members of the Asbury Park Music Foundation. Wyclef spent a few hours with the kids discussing his career, creating music, and offered advice of how to be successful in life.
Asbury Park, NJ
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
@dhoodhood
Doug Hood

Musician Wyclef Jean drops in to Lakehouse Music Academy to talk with members of the Asbury Park Music Foundation. Wyclef spent a few hours with the kids discussing his career, creating music, and offered advice of how to be successful in life.
Asbury Park, NJ
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
@dhoodhood
Doug Hood

Musician Wyclef Jean drops in to Lakehouse Music Academy to talk with members of the Asbury Park Music Foundation. Wyclef spent a few hours with the kids discussing his career, creating music, and offered advice of how to be successful in life.
Asbury Park, NJ
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
@dhoodhood
Doug Hood

Musician Wyclef Jean drops in to Lakehouse Music Academy to talk with members of the Asbury Park Music Foundation. Wyclef spent a few hours with the kids discussing his career, creating music, and offered advice of how to be successful in life.
Asbury Park, NJ
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
@dhoodhood
Doug Hood

Musician Wyclef Jean drops in to Lakehouse Music Academy to talk with members of the Asbury Park Music Foundation. Wyclef spent a few hours with the kids discussing his career, creating music, and offered advice of how to be successful in life.
Asbury Park, NJ
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
@dhoodhood
Doug Hood

Musician Wyclef Jean drops in to Lakehouse Music Academy to talk with members of the Asbury Park Music Foundation. Wyclef spent a few hours with the kids discussing his career, creating music, and offered advice of how to be successful in life.
Asbury Park, NJ
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
@dhoodhood
Doug Hood

Musician Wyclef Jean drops in to Lakehouse Music Academy to talk with members of the Asbury Park Music Foundation. Wyclef spent a few hours with the kids discussing his career, creating music, and offered advice of how to be successful in life.
Asbury Park, NJ
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
@dhoodhood
Doug Hood

Musician Wyclef Jean drops in to Lakehouse Music Academy to talk with members of the Asbury Park Music Foundation. Wyclef spent a few hours with the kids discussing his career, creating music, and offered advice of how to be successful in life.
Asbury Park, NJ
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
@dhoodhood
Doug Hood

Musician Wyclef Jean drops in to Lakehouse Music Academy to talk with members of the Asbury Park Music Foundation. Wyclef spent a few hours with the kids discussing his career, creating music, and offered advice of how to be successful in life.
Asbury Park, NJ
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
@dhoodhood
Doug Hood

Musician Wyclef Jean drops in to Lakehouse Music Academy to talk with members of the Asbury Park Music Foundation. Wyclef spent a few hours with the kids discussing his career, creating music, and offered advice of how to be successful in life.
Asbury Park, NJ
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
@dhoodhood
Doug Hood

Musician Wyclef Jean drops in to Lakehouse Music Academy to talk with members of the Asbury Park Music Foundation. Wyclef spent a few hours with the kids discussing his career, creating music, and offered advice of how to be successful in life.
Asbury Park, NJ
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
@dhoodhood
Doug Hood

Musician Wyclef Jean drops in to Lakehouse Music Academy to talk with members of the Asbury Park Music Foundation. Wyclef spent a few hours with the kids discussing his career, creating music, and offered advice of how to be successful in life.
Asbury Park, NJ
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
@dhoodhood
Doug Hood

Musician Wyclef Jean drops in to Lakehouse Music Academy to talk with members of the Asbury Park Music Foundation. Wyclef spent a few hours with the kids discussing his career, creating music, and offered advice of how to be successful in life.
Asbury Park, NJ
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
@dhoodhood
Doug Hood

Musician Wyclef Jean drops in to Lakehouse Music Academy to talk with members of the Asbury Park Music Foundation. Wyclef spent a few hours with the kids discussing his career, creating music, and offered advice of how to be successful in life.
Asbury Park, NJ
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
@dhoodhood
Doug Hood

Musician Wyclef Jean drops in to Lakehouse Music Academy to talk with members of the Asbury Park Music Foundation. Wyclef spent a few hours with the kids discussing his career, creating music, and offered advice of how to be successful in life.
Asbury Park, NJ
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
@dhoodhood
Doug Hood

Musician Wyclef Jean drops in to Lakehouse Music Academy to talk with members of the Asbury Park Music Foundation. Wyclef spent a few hours with the kids discussing his career, creating music, and offered advice of how to be successful in life.
Asbury Park, NJ
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
@dhoodhood
Doug Hood

Jean got a firsthand glimpse at students remixing his 2017 track “Warrior” on board the Beat Bus, a state-of-the-art mobile recording studio that’s part of the Music Saved My Life youth education initiative, a partnership between Lakehouse Music Academy and the foundation.

Members of the local community can support the foundation and its endeavors through the Asbury Park Music and Film Festival, happening Thursday, April 26, through Sunday, April 29.

Presented by founding partners RWJ Barnabas Health and the Asbury Park Press, the festival will present talent including Jean, Danny DeVito, Gov’t Mule and Sublime with Rome at venues across the city.

Tickets, APMFF VIP passes and student packages and a schedule of announced events are now available by visiting www.apmff.org.

Musician Wyclef Jean drops in to Lakehouse Music Academy to talk with members of the Asbury Park Music Foundation. Wyclef spent a few hours with the kids discussing his career, creating music, and offered advice of how to be successful in life.
Asbury Park, NJ
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
@dhoodhood
(Photo: Doug Hood )

“We are highly dependent on the film festival as one of our key funding sources to keep all the programs alive,” said Lenskold. “It provides that base level of funding, and then from there it feeds into the specific programs. And so I would say today, the film festival keeps our organization going, and we see it’s one of the bigger opportunities for our growth.”